expiationnet | [Video]

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[At first, there's just audio as Aerith is figuring out how this little trinket works. A phone would be easier, wouldn't it? As video comes on, she lifts a hand and wiggles her fingers in greeting.]

Hellllooooo!

[If it seems like she's too cheery, that very likely might be the case. Despite the situation and bizarre circumstances, she's chosen to approach all of this with a great deal of optimism. Smile, and the world smiles with you, goes the saying.]

I understand a lot of us are kind of going through the same thing and it's probably very easy to focus on what we don't know, but I thought it might be kind of nice to have the reminder that we have a common goal. So whether you arrived here with friends or without them, you're not alone! You have the rest of us, too.

[Gesturing to herself, she continues.]

My name's Aerith and I didn't arrive with very much, but if there's something I can help you out with, make sure you let me know and I'll do my best! Also, if you're having trouble finding a place to stay, I'm sharing a room here with my bodyguard, but I'm sure he won't mind too much if we make a little more room for you.

[You're welcome, Cloud.]

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Oh! Do you mean the guy who took you to space??

[Consider Aerith's curiosity absolutely piqued. She could listen to Clara talk about her adventures for hours and not tire of them. She'll address how long it took her to find Cloud (which wasn't long), but first, she needs the details.

Besides, she's a romantic. Don't hold out on her now.]

Yep! He was being chased by a goose when I saw him. Which is...typical for him. Whatever he said to it, he made it angry. He'll say he didn't, but I know him.

[ Clara's smirking. But there's a definite lightness to her that wasn't there when she first met Aerith. It's subtle, but she's different. Relaxed, with a different shine to her eyes. ]

He'll be alright. And so will you, I'm really happy you have someone here.

He... a... a goose?

[...Aerith has so many questions. A guy who can take someone else to space but winds up chased by a goose? It almost sounds like something within the realm of possibility where Zack is concerned. Not that he ever took her to space, but she gets the feeling he would have given her the world if she'd wanted it.

She wants to say more, but Clara directs the attention back onto her and with a small yet pleased little smile, Aerith folds her hands together. She may even be turning a little pink.]

I am too. I would have been fine without him, but I'm grateful. I wish we all had someone from home with us here. Since we don't, though, it makes me want to help more where I can.

[Which is exactly how her offer came to be in the first place.]

It's been nice getting to know people for exactly that reason. We all have at least one thing in common, and that's being dragged here. It helps start a conversation.

[ Clara smiles, then repostions, the camera moving a little to show she's sitting on her bed, back up against the headboard. She's been reading about where they are, taking a break from exploring. ]

I was thinking about exploring again later when I'm hungry, see if I can find somewhere cheap to eat. Feel like coming with?

You got it.

[Aerith has been saying pretty much that since her arrival, but it's easy for that to cross over into how people want to handle this same situation many of them have found themselves in.]

I'd love to come with you! [It's a very simple offer, but the whole of Aerith's expression lights right up. Maybe it's because usually she's the one making such an offer. Having someone else invite her along somewhere is absolutely heartwarming.] I bet if we do something nice for them, we can probably eat for free. Or maybe they'll just think we're really cute!

[She is absolutely not afraid of using her gremlin energy to her advantage.]

I can whip out these bad boys. [ She grins, pointing to her dimples. ] They work like a charm. Usually. As a backup plan, I really don't mind washing dishes or sweeping.

[ A few chores never bothered her, especially when they came with food. ]

I do have a little money though, I've been helping with the odd chore here and there. I think we'll be alright no matter what.

[Loosing a laugh, Aerith turns just a subtle shade of pink. If charm was the way to go, she'll leave that to Clara. She wouldn't say she's a charismatic sort, but it's not as though she would know for certain.]

I was thinking something the same. I want to do some work here, too, and I'm pretty good at running errands for people. Figured that'll come in handy eventually here. I have a little money on me? But not very much, I don't think. Not actually sure what they classify as a little or a lot, honestly. I think between the two of us, we'll probably be just fine.

I'm not in a rush, we can go anytime you want. And in fact, I'll have to break down a list of reasons to the Doctor for why he can't come—this time. That'll take me a good bit.

[ She's prepared for the pouting and whinging, and the promise to take him out later. ]

Making money probably won't be hard, but I hope there's something with books that I can do. A library or a little shop, maybe.

[She can put two and two together. The Doctor is most likely the guy that Clara followed out to space. The same guy who's had so many things to share with her. He sounds like a fascinating man, honestly. Aerith wouldn't mind getting to know him a little better herself, but honestly, girl time needs to be Girl Time.

He can wait his turn.]

I didn't even think about a library. I bet they have one. I didn't ask around before, but there was the whole festival and stuff. I don't think books were exactly a thought at the front of their mind at the time. They've got to have a library.

[...Right?]

If there aren't books, it might be the first thing about this place that actually makes me cry.

[ She can adapt to anything, really. But her mum made sure she loved books, and Clara and books have a love affair. ]

This could always be a planet of storytellers, I guess. That's a possibility. And some places tell their stories exclusively through song. Maybe we can explore that too, after lunch?

Oh, I didn't think about that. It'd explain a lot. I was visiting their bar, right? They sure do have a lot of stories. You might be right. If they don't have books, then they're probably keeping their tales alive by sharing them. Might be worth visiting with paper or something. Could write down anything we learn.

[...They probably have paper. And pens. Or something. Of course, if she had her phone on her, she could just use that.]

We'll figure it out! Lunch first! All of this talk about work is making me hungry!

I'm at the inn, if that's where you are right now?

[ She isn't sure if others have struck out on their own yet or not. ]

We could meet just outside, go eat, and then try to figure out if there's a library or something else. I could be ready in about ten minutes.

I am!

[If only because Cloud absolutely, does not, in any way shape or form, want her to go out [to sell flowers here]. But they both know that Aerith is a bit of a rule breaker and she tends to go where she wants and do what she wants.

Usually within reason.]

I'll meet you right outside. Don't feel like you have to rush. I'm sure I can entertain myself until you arrive.

[Because she is one heck of a conversationalist and if Aldrip doesn't know that yet, they're going to learn right quick!]

Then I'll see you soon for food.

[ Making friends as an adult doesn't have to be difficult. Simply get yourself magically kidnapped and forced into a situation where no one can leave. It's easy! If only Clara had known sooner.

Once she's let the Doctor know where she's going, she makes her way outside just when those ten minutes are up. She's more punctual than a certain lord of time, and she grins at Aerith. ]

Ready for cheap food and adventure?

[Aerith is not at all difficult to find. On the contrary, she's chatty and welcoming, oftentimes bubbly and warm. It is very likely that she seems to fit right in with many of the locals here. Or she might even be too much for them.

Clara finds her rather quickly as she's saying goodbye to one of the local merchants. As she faces her very newly-found friend, Aerith clasps her hands together. Did she just hear adventure?

She's sold!]

Oh, boy! [She pipes up cheerfully.] I've been waiting for adventure for years!!

[ Clara identifies with that wait, the want to see more, go plaecs, knowing there are things out there to see and touch and smell. Adventure runs in her blood, and she grins at Aerith. Then, she links their arms together. ]

Rule one of adventuring: it must not be done on an empty stomach.

[ Beginning to walk with her, she wonders if this is how the Doctor feels, dropping in on people and asking them to run away with him. Not that she and Aerith can leave the planet, but still. It's the spirit of it all. ]

What sort of foods do you like?

[Just the act of linking arms warms Aerith right down to the core. If anything, it makes her think a little like Tifa. Clara's a bit more outgoing, Aerith thinks, but it's such a nice feeling. Being wanted. Someone excited and happy to see her. She knows well enough to try keeping that enthusiasm to a minimum, however. She should try not to be overbearing.

Her arm tightens just a touch on Clara's. Not enough to be uncomfortable. It's almost like a wordless acknowledgement. One that says she likes this very, very much.]

Hmmmm. I'm not very picky, actually. My mom makes things like stew and stuff. I'm not really from a place with a lot of variation in food? So it's like I get to eat anything fancy. I'll probably eat just about anything that's in front of me. That said, I asked Cloud for ice cream after we got here, so I like ice cream pretty well.

[Aerith, that's not a meal.]

[ After years of traveling with the Doctor, Clara has practice with this exact scenario. ]

Love ice cream, unfortunately not a meal. But let's pencil that in for later, on our way back. Have you ever had anything like a kebab? Or curry?

[ Maybe it's a tug of homesickness, but she misses the common foods that united people in her country. ]

Fish and chips is always good too, but I've mostly only eaten food from the little cafe.

I think there's a place in one of the sectors that does kebabs and curries, but I don't think I actually have eaten at them.

[She can travel from place to place with little trouble, but aside from the diner that's in her sector, it's probably a better idea not to linger in another one if she doesn't have to. Momentary visits are great. When she's on her own, sticking around for a meal or two alone seems like a great way to invite trouble.]

They sure looked and smelled good, though. I would definitely eat any of those things if they were put in front of me. I think they had kebabs here during the festival? And I did try those, along with a little of everything that they were serving. The food here is great! Oooh, ooh—

[Aerith lifts a hand as if the most startlingly good idea has just hit her.]

—Maybe we can find a place that has like, a sample platter. So then we can have a little bit of everything!

It'd definitely help get us familiar with the food here, faster. What kind of food do you like? I mean, I'll eat anything at least once, and I'm not allergic to anything. But I do have an aversion to carrots. Can't stand them. Don't necessarily love vegetables to begin with, but I'll eat them.

[ Except for carrots.

As she talks, she's looking around for a place that from the outside looks inexpensive but inviting, offering at least more than two cheap things to eat. ]

Uhm. I like... anything? Maybe. I've never really had the opportunity to be picky? [Which is probably exactly why she isn't, honestly.] Seriously, you should share with me anything you like and I'm gonna eat it. And it sounds like whatever we get, it's probably not going to have carrots.

[A shame, really. She's pretty sure Elmyra puts carrots in that stew she's accustomed to.]

I guess I really like potatoes?

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